Laminar flow wing optimized for supersonic cruise aircraft
US8272594B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/10
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of providing an aircraft having a fuselage and a wing configured for extensive laminar flow at design cruise conditions, the method characterized by a) providing wing biconvex-type airfoils having values of thickness, chord and shape along the wing span which provide substantially optimal aircraft range at design cruise conditions, considering the influences of wing drag and wing weight; b) providing wing leading edges, which are configured to effect laminar flow; c) providing fuselage and wing contours which, in combination, produce reduced total wave drag and produce extensive areas of laminar boundary layer flow on the wing; and d) providing wing sweep angularity that facilitates provision of a), b) and c).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.